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Chelsea FC History

Why A Chelsea Best XI Of All Time XI Is Pointless

By Chelsea FC HistoryNo Comments

As a Chelsea football blog barely a week goes by where we are not asked by someone to name our “Chelsea Best XI of All Time”.

We have tried so many times to do this but just can’t, there are too many players to choose from and too many variables. Nearly 700 players have made a first team appearance for Chelsea since we were founded in 1905 and we don’t have nearly enough information.

The ability of players and their contribution to the team is subjective, given our standing in recent years it is nearly impossible to compare what Kerry Dixon did for the club to that of Didier Drogba.

They were different types of player playing in different eras for teams with different goals. Kerry Dixon wore his heart on his sleeve helping Chelsea as they bounced between what is now the Premier League and the Championship playing with a variable amount of talent.

Whereas Drogba played with 10 of the best players in the world at that time all aiming to win everything in sight.

Football loves nostalgia but is very much focused on the here and now, particularly where glory is involved. Ask fans to name their best Chelsea XI it will be shaped by a range of factors. Like when they grew up and recent success, rather than an objective look at the merits of all who have played in Blue (or for some horrific grey and orange).

Celebrating Players For Their Contribution

In our opinion fans should celebrate players from the club and the era they played in. Whether that be strikers like Osgood in the 70’s, Dixon in the 80’s, Vialli in the 90’s or Drogba in the new millennium. All of those mentioned are Chelsea legends who deserve recognition.

As are the players who played in the eras before television and money seeped into the game. Be it George “Gattling Gun” Hilsdon, or our Olympic medal winning Norweigan Nils Middleboe the first foreigner to play for Chelsea who was also a triple jump champion.

So the next time I see a greatest XI debate I am going to disengage and think about a Chelsea legend, even if I never got a chance to see them play.

Oct 4, 2016

Begging CFC Fans No John Terry Walkout on 26th Minute

By Chelsea FC HistoryNo Comments

There has been some nonsense about a John Terry walkout during the 26th minute during the final game of the season against Leicester, in protest at John Terry getting a new contract.

Whilst words cannot express our disappointment that Terry will not get a chance for a proper send off on Sunday a John Terry walkout is not an appropriate way and totally misguided.

No John Terry Walkout

We understand the frustration but the end of the line of a legend is a time for celebration not squabbles. Terry has enjoyed a magnificent career at Stamford Bridge that should be celebrated and not mired in controversy.

Unfortunately, legends come to the end of the road eventually and unless a dramatic change of heart happens we have reached it with Terry.

We feel he still has at least a year in him if not more at the top level, the board have decided that the end of the road for Terry is now. We do not agree with this decision but we should make that clear via song and by celebrating him not by deflecting an overall disdain for the board into the end of an era.

There may never be another Chelsea player like John Terry, he has been the most successful captain in the club’s history by a country mile. With him leading the way we have been crowned champions, faced despair in Moscow and gained redemption in Munich.

He has led the way as we went from pretenders to one of the most feared clubs in Europe, just ask Barcelona how they feel when they think of facing us in Europe.

At times he has been controversial and maybe not walked the path the way that we would hope, but shining through have always been his passion for the club and a winning desire.

He has truly been a captain, leader, legend for Chelsea Football Club and no words will ever express how grateful we have been to call him our captain.

If we truly have reached the end of the road, let’s do it in celebration, let’s do it singing about doubles, European cups and glory, not by being first in the beer queue

John Terry Walkout

May 11, 2016

Chelsea v Norwich Is About Taking A Step In The Right Direction

By Chelsea FC HistoryNo Comments

The arch is blueChelsea are currently 16th in the Premier League table, something that I have not seen since the first couple of seasons supporting Chelsea. The most memorable of which was the 1993/1994 season where we sat near the bottom of the table at Christmas.

Glenn Hoddle was in charge at the time and he was able to turn things around with the help of a run to the final of the FA Cup.

That season Chelsea rallied to finish mid-table but got thumped 4-0 in the FA Cup against Manchester United (I still dream of that Gavin Peacock effort dropping over the line instead of cannoning back off the crossbar.

What does this have to do with our current situation?

Well not alot really, Chelsea are a different team with a different culture and expectations to back then, I guess sometimes nostalgia gets the better of us. Something our next opponents will surely share with us having finished that season in 12th place, something they would definitely take at the end of this campaign.

At the time this felt like an amazing season to make a major cup final for the first time in decades and stay up. This is not going to cut it this season.

This season we are staring into the unknown, I am not sure what constitutes a good season from this point. The top four seems so far away but must be the objective as long as it is mathematically possible.

All we can do is take it one game at a time starting with Norwich.

The game against Norwich is one where a big performance is expected, the international break has taken the pressure off temporarily, now is the time to step and get back on the scoreboard. A win will not save our season, but it will be a start.

I am hoping I will see some real performances from some of our key players, I want them taking responsibility for leading from the front.

Nov 20, 2015